Today, Donald Trump hosted executives at the White House to discuss Venezuelan oil policy, where he declared that money from oil operations in the country will “go to the oil companies.” The attendees are the same executives, from the same companies, that funneled millions into his Inauguration Fund and affiliated PACs. 

Today, new data revealed that the share of American consumers who say the government is doing a good job handling inflation and unemployment fell to the lowest point ever recorded. After eleven months under Donald Trump’s leadership, Americans are experiencing slower wage growth, a higher risk of unemployment, and record layoffs. Anxiety about the economy is high, and it’s no wonder why: Tens of thousands of Americans are out of work, and millions more are working multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet. Americans are still grappling with high prices and the rising cost of living, yet Trump is focused on one thing: running Venezuela for “much longer” than a year while American taxpayers foot the bill for an open-ended foreign commitment that enriches oil corporations — again. 

In response, DNC Rapid Response Director Kendall Witmer released the following statement:

“Donald Trump continues to sell Americans out to put his interests first. The president who promised to be ‘America First’ would rather meet with his wealthy oil buddies to map out how they can turn a profit from Venezuelan oil while the U.S. manages the country indefinitely than help the working families who are struggling to make ends meet, afford health care, and scrape by in his economy. It’s no wonder most Americans blame Trump for the pitiful state of the economy. Trump’s corruption and self-interest are on full display.”